Difference between revisions of "Branko Ilić"

Latest revision as of 15:27, 27 April 2025

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Distinguish Template:Infobox football biography Branko Ilić (born 6 February 1983) is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays for Olimpija Ljubljana. Usually a right back, he can also operate as a central defender.

A Slovenian international between 2004 and 2015, Ilić represented his country at the 2010 World Cup.

Club career

Born in Ljubljana, SR Slovenia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Ilić started his career at local NK Olimpija, where he made his senior debut in 2003 against FC Koper. He joined NK Domžale in January 2005, after his former club went bankrupt.

Ilić was loaned to Real Betis in January 2007, becoming the first Slovenian to play for the club.<ref>El esloveno Template:Sic Ilic pasó reconocimiento médico antes de firmar con el Betis (Slovenian Branco Ilic passed medical before signing with Betis); Marca, 25 January 2007 (in Spanish)</ref> His first official appearance came against city rivals Sevilla FC, in a Copa del Rey quarter-final clash;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> on 4 February he first appeared in La Liga, providing the assist for Robert's goal in a 2–1 away win at Athletic Bilbao.<ref>Athletic Bilbao 1–2 Real Betis; ESPN Soccernet, 4 February 2007</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After a positive spell,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Andalusian side completed the transfer for €1.5 million in the summer of 2007, but Ilić eventually fell out of rotation in 2008–09 after the signing of S.L. Benfica's Nélson, in a relegation-ending season where he only featured in three matches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 6 September 2009, FC Moscow signed Ilić on loan from Betis, for one year. In late January 2010, however, he was released by the latter,<ref>Branko Ilic se desvincula del Betis (Branko Ilic cuts ties with Betis); El Desmarque, 18 January 2010 (in Spanish)</ref> immediately joining another team from Russia and its capital, FC Lokomotiv.<ref>Илич подписал контракт с «Москвой» (Ilić signed a contract with Moscow); Sports.ru, 19 January 2010 (in Russian)</ref>

On 13 August 2010, Sky Sports reported that Ilić was on trial in England with Premier League's Blackpool,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but nothing came of it. On 5 June 2013, after one season in the Cypriot First Division with Anorthosis Famagusta FC, he and teammate Jürgen Colin signed two-year contracts with Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. from Israel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 10 July 2014, Ilić agreed to a two-year deal with Serbian club FK Partizan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following summer he moved teams and countries again, joining Kazakhstan Premier League champions FC Astana.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 6 January 2016, Ilić signed for Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 5 February of the following year he returned to his homeland, joining NK Olimpija Ljubljana.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

International career

Ilić made his debut for Slovenia on 18 August 2004 in a friendly match against Serbia and Montenegro. He was selected for the squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but did not leave the bench in an eventual group stage exit.

Career statistics

Club

Template:Updated<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

International

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

International goal

Scores and results list Slovenia's goal tally first.

Honours

Olimpija

• Slovenian Football Cup : 2002–03

Domžale

• Slovenian PrvaLiga : 2006–07

Partizan

• Serbian SuperLiga : 2014–15

See also

• Slovenian international players

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Commons category

• Slovenian League stats Template:Sl icon
• Template:BDFutbol
• National team data Template:Sl icon
• Template:NFT player

Template:Olimpija Ljubljana squad Template:Slovenia Squad 2010 World Cup